Apparatus for hydrating air in refrigerating mechanisms



June 118, 1935. E. M. POST, .1Rv

APPARATUS FOR HYDRATING AIR INREFRIGERATING MECHANISMS Filed Nov. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNvENToR MIb/SIG In 7 152,111' l p 'M5 ATTORNEYS Edu?? June 1s, 1935. E, M POST, JR 2,005,558

APPARATUS FOR HYDRATING AIR IN REFRIGERATING MECHANISMS Filed NOV. 15, 1932 2 Shee'CS-Asheet 2 INVENTOR Edu/ra M170/S, Jn,

ATTO R N EYS Patented June l, i935 STATES).

FFEQE APPARATUSFOR HYDRATING AMR, IIN REFRIGERATHNG MECHAISMS Edwin M. Post, Jr., New York, N. Y., assignor to international Motor Company, New York,

4L (Claims.

The present invention relates to refrigerating mechanisms and embodies, more specifically, a humidifying device by means of which the humidity within a refrigerating chamber may be 5 maintained at a substantially constant value.

Where a refrigerating apparatus is utilized wherein the temperature of the refrigerating element is below freezing, the tendency of the element to freeze the moisture in the air which is circulated about the element is well known and as a result the air within the refrigerating compartment is dehumidied. This condition frequently becomes highly objectionable in as much as substances which contain moisture and are placed within the referigerating chamber are rapidly dried and frequently rendered unfit for use.

In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to provide a means for returning the moisture which is removed from the circulating air by the refrigerating element to the refrigenerating chamber. This is accomplished by removing the frost from the refrigerating element, melting the same, and vaporizing the resulting liquid in the refrigerating chamber.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a device for maintaining a predetermined humidity in a refrigerating chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating mechanism wherein means is provided for Asupplying a desired quantity of moisture to the air within the refrigerating chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating device wherein the frozen moisture about the refrigerating element is melted and vaporized within the refrigerating chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for removing the frozen moisture from a refrigerating element of a refrigerating device, melting such frozen particles and atomizing and circulating the melted particles within the refrigerating compartment.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in section, taken through a refrigerating device constructed in accordance with the present invention, taken on the line l-I of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 2 is a view in section, taken on line (Cl. (i2-1210) 2 2 of Figure l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on the broken line 3-3 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

With reference to the above drawings, a container Iilis formed of suitable insulating material and provided with a partition II which forms a refrigerating chamber I2 and a circulating chamber I3. provide with suitable baies to facilitate the flow of air about a cold element lll which may form a portion of a wall of the circulating chamber.

A predetermined flow of air through the circulating chamber is maintained by means 'ofa 15 fan l5 which directs air from therefrigerating chamber I2 through a funnel I6 in the manner indicated by the arrows of Figure 1 andthis air is directed over the cold element Irl. After flowing over the cold element I4 and having 20 some of the heat thereof removed the air is directed back into the refrigerating chamber through an aperture Il as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2.

The cold element I4may be formed in any 25 desired shape preferably in such shape as to facilitate the scraping of frost therefrom by means of a scraping mechanism described. hereinafter. The cold element may furthermore in clude a portion of one Wall of an auxiliary cham- 30 ber I8 Within which blocks of a refrigerant I9 may be placed in order that the refrigerant may rest, or be urged against the element I4. Solid carbon dioxide is one form of refrigerant which may be utilized and which has proved to be 35 highly successful. Y

If the temperature of the cold element I4 is below a predetermined value, it will solidify the moisture content of the air circulating about it and cause the same to be coated with frozen 40 spaced endless loops of a link chain engaging so driving and idle sprockets 2i. Sprockets 2l may be mounted upon shafts 22, these shafts'being journaled within a supporting member 23 below the cold element Il. Between the chain loops 20 transverse scraper blades 2li are mounted, the

The circulating chamber is lo In order thatthis moisture may be 45' chains being supported in such fashion that the scraper blades engage the lower surface of the cold element I4 and scrape the frost and snow therefrom. The frost and snow falls into a funnel 25 and is directed into a melting chamber 26 within the refrigerating compartment. From the melting chamber, the moisture drops into a U-tube 21 formed with a pan 28. Above the pan 28, a fan or other device 29 is mounted, motor 30 being provided to drive the same. The fan blades, in their rotation, move within the upper portion of the fan 28 and, when the liquid level therein rises to a suficient height, atomizes and 'circulates the same through the refrigerating compartment as indicated by the arrows adjacent the fan 29.

It will thus be seen thatnot only is the atmosphere within the refrigerating chamber maintained at a desired humidity but the constant defrosting of the cold element I4 enables the refrigerating apparatus to function more effectively. Any suitable means may be provided for driving the Scrapers 24 and chains 28, in the construction shown, this being accomplished by means of a motor 3l which drives the right hand shaft 22, as viewed in Figure 2.

While the invention has been described with specic reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A refrigerating device comprising a refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating element associated therewith, a scraping mechanism to remove frost from the refrigerating element, means associated with the chamber to melt the frosting, and air circulating means in the chamber to vaporize the resulting liquid in the refrigerating air.

2. A refrigerating device comprising a refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating element associated therewith, a scraping mechanism to remove frost from the refrigerating element, means to melt the frosting, a receptacle in the chamber for the resulting liquid, and a fan associated with the receptacle to direct air thereover.

3. A refrigerating device comprising a refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating element associated therewith, a scraping mechanism to remove frost from the refrigerating element, a receptacle in the chamber to receive and melt the removed frost, a U-tube to receive liquid from the receptacle, and a fan associated with the U-tube to vaporize the liquid and circulate the same in the chamber.

4. A refrigerating device comprising a refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating element associated therewith, a scraping mechanism to re move frost from the refrigerating element, a receptacle in the chamber to receive and melt the removed frost, a U-tube to receive liquid from the receptacle, and a fan associated with the U-tube to vaporize the liquid and circulate the same in the chamber, said fan being mounted to cause the rotating blades thereof to dip into liquid within the U-tube when the level thereof attains a predetermined height.

EDWIN M. POST, JR. 

